FW: Off Road Recovery Failure
Dan Wells
If you have ever considered helping a pilot who’s vehicle needs being winched out you might want to use some caution.
Dan
From: John P. Russell, Jr. <jprre...@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2022 2:28 PM
To: John Russell <jprre...@gmail.com>
Subject: Off Road Recovery Failure
Friends: If you own any vehicle recovery gear, or could find yourself stuck, PLEASE take a moment and read this post. Thank you, GJ
In pursuit of mountain top hang glider and paragliding launches, I have spent much of my adult life enjoying fire and remote unpaved adventures. I pride myself in trying to be a helpful Good Samaritan. More than a few times I have stopped and helped a fellow off-roader who had become stuck. I carry a 15,000 # rated tow strap that I have attached to my trailer ball on many occasions. After watching the below referenced video, it is apparent that my confidence in my recovery gear exceeds by a wide margin the actual safety ratings of my gear.
The below info came from a recently posted by Colorado 4X4 Rescue and Recovery, Inc. that Good Samaritans should review. It involves an incident not all that different from what many of us have done many times. Sadly for Mr. Ryan Woods, a 43 year old Arizona off-roader, was killed by a Good Sam’s confidence in his recovery gear and/or lack of understanding of its limitations and/or how to properly use it.
I commend Ryan’s wife for allowing Colorado Rescue and Recovery to produce the video analysis of the incident that resulted in the death of her young husband. (Pictures from video)
The Good Samaritan apparently had looped their tow strap over their truck’s trailer ball and ran the tow strap to the tow hooks (Apparently below the cow catcher in the mud) of this Super Duty Ford.
According to the video, the Good Samaritan’s truck was using an “Anderson Style” drop hitch and 2” receiver such as this one.
In this case, the hitch failed at the truck receiver.
But, as the video advises, there are several other potential failure points that could have resulted in the fatality. In this incident, It appears that the entire hitch assembly aft of the truck became a missile that killed Mr. Woods. It could have been the ball itself, or the shank pin, or the tow strap, or the tow hook(s) on the stuck vehicle. I think that the central point of the video is that all elements of a vehicle recovery system need to have the necessary ratings for the task involved.
One of the video reviewers (Mr. Jeffrey Coomb) stated: “I'm guilty of using my tow hitch to recover trucks and trailers. I think for me it's a case of you don't know what you don't know, and when you find out, it's too late. I'm glad I found this video and really appreciate Ryan's wife for allowing you to use their story to educate others on the dangers. I am very sorry for her loss, but incredible that she sees the possibility to help others despite her grief. Quite a woman! I'm ordering the right tools ASAP.
Please be aware that your trailer hitch ball and receiver may be significant failure points. Personally, I will also be taking a re-look at my recovery gear and for certain stop using my hitch as the pull point when using it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb3BkeeXlIo
Rick Ray
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